I entered the room of a “ comfort measures only” pt last night , only bcz one of the nurses asked me to start a new IV access to that patient . I wasn’t sure I understood right , I thought the IV access was needed to administer pain and other meds that will alleviate air hunger and near death anxiety . The nurse informed me that actually the husband of the poor woman that I was about to work on , does not aloud any meds as such . The iv access was for fluids , Bcz he thinks “ she needs fluids “.
I went back to my computer and red the file . Here w brain hemorrhage , extensive and untreatable , neurosurgery signed off two days ago and the patient remains in coma . I went to the room and I was greeted suspiciously by the husband and another lady . That one was dressed colorful as a peacock and she had laid an impressive amount of crystals or colored pieces of glass ( the fuck I know ) allover the poor unresponsive lady . Essential oils were steaming from two different devices , and I was barely able to breathe after 2 mnts . I introduced my self and ask them to step outside so I can do the job . The crystal / oil lady examined my badge , then she asked me “ where are u from “.
To which I replied my standard poem , 25 yrs and keep answering , “ I am half italian and half greek . “.
The colorful lady looked at me like I have 3 eyeballs , and told me “ u need to be careful . This is bad combination , nobody want neither of your people upset and angry .”
And I am thinking . Ma’am , u don’t even know , and boy u are about to find out . But I smiled . I also thought , god damn u steeve , u owe me a big one for this shit tonight . None of them where going to leave the room , so I washed my hands and got my gloves on . My poor lady in the bed was really in need for some morphine , and some ativan . Man , that’s not the way to go it’s just not right
I mentioned to husband , “ I think your wife will be more in comfort sir w some morphine “.
And that’s when the shit literarily hit the fan as Americans say . The colorful crystal / oils lady introduced her self as some type of naturopath , homeopath , and whatever the f else path . ( yes . I am angry and is 0940 and I am finally in my bed typing this for u all , and now I can be my self !)
She told me “ no . What she needs it’s a colon cleansing . U need to give her something to empty her colon . When the feces leave her body , she will wake up .”
I stood there for about 15 seconds b4 I collected self tght , and thought of policies / ethics / next of kin wishes / and with what hand I can slap her . Finally I found the strength to smile , and told her “ I don’t think so “.
But pls feel free to discuss this w Hospitalist in the morning . If he agrees , u can proceed . Tonight , I can guarantee to u , this poor woman is not getting any colon cleansing . She went on telling me the benefit of it , even for near death people . The idea is , the toxins will leave her body , she will wake up , she will be able to talk and say good bye to her husband . For my good luck ( I do need my job ), the solution came from the husband :
“ let it go Debby , she might be talking to the Lord already and the Lord might wants her more “.
And I was like “ thank u f Jesus , that’s a boy , good boy jesus , yeeeesss !!! “

I left the room w sadness for that poor woman , laying in a hospital bed without appropriate medications to exit this world pain free and in comfort . I have neither authority or control or input at the very end of how her last hrs will go . Talking to deaf ears , and the lady gasping for air . That’s not the way to die . Between colon material and lord the savior , there was a human , a mother of 2, a lady w colored hair like mine , and only 5 years older than me who is struggling to exit in pain . I made it home and about to hug puppies and we can all sleep and wake up ( hopefully ), and do it allover again . I am typing this to make a suggestion . Not advice . A suggestion :
Get your living will in order . Young or older . Make your own decisions . That’s all I am going to say about that . I love u all . Stay alive